The 2027 MotoGP grid is being assembled one domino at a time, and the most consequential piece still on the board is the second VR46 seat — a vacancy that has turned World Superbike runaway leader Nicolo Bulega into the paddock's most talked-about name.
Valentino Rossi's Ducati satellite team has already locked in Gresini's Fermin Aldeguer for 2027 and will lose Fabio Di Giannantonio to KTM, leaving one bike open alongside incumbent Franco Morbidelli. Rossi told Sky Sports Italia his outfit would prioritise keeping an Italian in the line-up, and when presented with a shortlist of Bulega, Luca Marini and Celestino Vietti, he did not dispute the names — only adding that Morbidelli remained in contention.
On paper, Bulega is the obvious fit. He is already under contract with Ducati for 2027, is involved in the development of the marque's new 850cc machine, and impressed deputising for the injured Marc Marquez at the factory team last season. The complication is who actually makes the call — and Ducati sporting director Mauro Grassilli was emphatic that it is not Borgo Panigale.
"Naturally, we discuss every race with the team. We're very close to the VR46 team and we've said several times that, as companies, we'd love to have Nicola in MotoGP, to have him on the team," Grassilli told GPOne. "Naturally, the decision is very much theirs because the seat is free at VR46, so the lads are deciding, they're analysing it and I believe they'll give us an answer very soon."
He added: "In detail, it's all in the hands of the VR46 team, of course, and we'll soon find out what the future holds for him and where."
The case for Bulega has been sharpened by MotoGP's switch to Pirelli tyres for 2027 — the same rubber he has used to flatten the World Superbike field on an unbeaten run that has passed 20 races. Not everyone in his current garage wants to see him go. Ducati WSBK team-mate Iker Lecuona, runner-up to Bulega for a dozen races in a row, was candid about the prospect.
"If he went to MotoGP I'd be happy for him; he's won every race and has been very fast. I think he has a 100% chance of moving to the other paddock," Lecuona said. "But on the other hand, I'd prefer him to stay here — not for him, but for me. If he stayed here, I could push harder and keep improving by spurring each other on."
The Bulega question is only half of an Italian-flavoured reshuffle, because the same pool of experienced riders is being eyed one garage along at Trackhouse Aprilia. Manager Davide Brivio has announced he will leave for Honda at the end of the season and has deliberately stepped back from the 2027 driver negotiations, handing them to owner Justin Marks.
"I wanted to be very fair with the team and tell them I won't be here, because I wanted to avoid going into rider discussions and then say, 'Oh, sorry, I'm leaving,'" Brivio told Crash.net. "Justin is now taking over the negotiations. We chat to each other; he asks me my opinion, and I give my ideas, my opinions. And then, it's his call."
Brivio framed the choice as a question of identity rather than form. A rookie path would point to Moto2 leader Manuel Gonzalez; a results-now approach would favour proven names such as Enea Bastianini or Luca Marini — the latter also a VR46 candidate, and Rossi's brother.
"If there is an idea to restart with a new rider and grow up a rookie, then maybe it can be a good profile," Brivio said of Gonzalez. But he was blunt about how the market really works: "Not so many people are brave enough to put on a rookie. We see there is some resistance to have a rookie in a factory team."
With Marini wanted in two places and Bulega's fate resting inside Rossi's inner circle, the next few rounds — beginning with the upcoming Czech Grand Prix at Brno — could finally start tipping the dominoes.
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